The Gombe State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya on Tuesday said the 85KWP solar hybrid project he inaugurated at Dakitti Community of Akko Local Government Area of the state will provide the constant power supply that would increase the income of the people.
He added that the project that is of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) will improve business activities and the productivity of the people while ensuring a good education for school children.
He pledged the government’s support for all electrification projects in the state, including that of the agency.
The Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad encouraged the community to optimise the intervention and leverage on the availability of sustainable and reliable energy of the opportunity to harness the productive use of energy infrastructure.
He said the agency’s intervention in off-grid communities is crucial to accelerating national development, stressing that “great opportunities abound in communities such as Dakiti. With the availability of sustainable and reliable energy, these opportunities can be harnessed through the productive use of energy infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, Akko Local Government Chairman, Abubakar Baranbu said, “Dakati can now experience what electricity brings in economic prosperity.”
He described the project as “a major development and new business opportunities in milling, processing, storage and external trades will be a reality for our industrious people.”
The chairman said he was grateful to the Federal Government because his community will henceforth enjoy constant electricity supply irrespective of its location.
According to him, with the solar plant, more Nigerians will be aware of small but the thriving solar-powered community.
The firm that executed the project, Leading Diagonal Engineering Nigeria Limited, explained that it was done in accordance with international best practices.
The Managing Director, Abdallah Kasimu said: “The installed solar mini-grid power plant has a total capacity of 85kw solar-power which consists of 100 solar panels, 96 batteries and over 4.5km distribution network cables. The solar mini-grid project serves over 1,500 people in this community with constant electricity.”
The Emir of Gona, who was represented by Abubakar Usman, said: “This electricity, I believe, will bring positive impact to this community and as we have already seen while making our way to the venue of the inauguration.
“I noticed prosperous businesses, as well as electrified homes and it, is my belief that at night every corner of this community is illuminated with streetlights and security assured.”
The Nation